Synergize, Project Your Voices Towards Improved Governance – USAID State2State Charges CSOs in Akwa Ibom
By Ekemini Simon
The United States Agency for International Development ( USAID) State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness, (State2State) Activity in Akwa Ibom State has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in Akwa Ibom State to collaborate more with sister organisations and also speak out on issues of governance that needs attention.
The call was made at the State2State 2-Day CSOs Quarterly Coordination Meeting held in Uyo on Tuesday through Wednesday.
In his remarks, the State Team Lead of State2State, Borve Paago-Imabel said there is need for the CSOs in the State to meet quarterly for the review of quarterly implementation reports so as to identify praiseworthy strides of government and gaps that can be improved upon.
While noting that the ultimate aim is to improve governance, Paago-Imabel noted ” Do not stop at the reviews. From your findings, nudge and task the government on where to improve. If we do not come together to project our voices, the government will not listen to us.
“When the government sees that the CSOs are asking questions, that is when positive actions begin to happen. For that to happen, it implies synergy between the CSOs and the media should increase. Speak truth to power respectfully. Wake power up and improve governance else we will keep moving in a circle”.
The State Team Lead who described citizens participation in Governor Umo Eno’s dialogue on the ARISE Agenda, an exemplary initiative of the government called on the CSOs to take ample time to reflect on the agenda and identify entry points for engagement with government productively while representing the citizens.
He identified the need for engagement with the State legislature who have over 90 percent new members.
Earlier, the State2State Citizen Engagement/Capacity Building Specialist, Munachiso Odulana said the coordination meeting was designed review action plans by CSOs groups to engage the government actors on various governance issues within the public financial management and service delivery sectors of basic education, primary health and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) thus see ways to continue providing required technical support.
She said the quarter’s coordination meeting was also designed to provide an avenue for the CSOs to evaluate progress, review State budget implementation for 2023, and collate inputs for 2024 budget using the Community needs template as presented by the Ministry of Economic Development.